The type of fabric used in a wedding veil makes a huge difference in how poofy the veil is. Bridal illusion, English netting, and silk tulle are the three most common fabrics used in bridal veils. Bridal illusion is by far the most common—so common, in fact, that most salons carry only veils made from bridal illusion. But if a non-poofy veil is the goal, silk tulle is the best bet. Silk tulle flows and drapes like nothing else, and will sit far more flat than either bridal illusion or English netting.
Width
Width also plays a role in determining how poofy a veil is. The wider the fabric, the fuller the veil. Wedding veils typically come in 54, 72, and 108 inch widths. To minimize the poof, choose the narrowest width that will work with the dress.
The width is really only critical for chapel and cathedral length veils. A 54” wide, chapel or cathedral length veil will only look right with a sheath or mermaid gown. If the gown has a fuller skirt, choose a 72” wide veil to minimize poof. If the veil is shorter than chapel length, any width of veil will look good.
Number of Layers
The more layers a veil has, the more fabric will be gathered on the comb, and the more body it will have. To minimize poof, choose a single layer veil. If the bride wants a blusher layer (the top layer of a multi-layer veil), choose at most a two layer veil.
The Cut of the Veil
The center-gathered veil is a perfect cut for brides who want a two layer veil but don't want a lot of body. The unique way this veil is gathered only in the very center of the veil means that less fabric is sewn to the comb than a standard end-gathered veil. The center-gathered veil combines the traditional look of an end-gathered veil but with today's modern, less full silhouette.
For an even more dramatic, sleek look, consider a cage or circle cut veil. As the name suggests, a cage or circle cut veil is simply a circle of tulle. It is not attached to a comb, and is instead pinned to the hair using hairpins. Completely ungathered, the cage veil is the only type of veil to lay completely flat on the head with absolutely no poof.
Taking these elements into consideration, any bride can easily navigate the thousands of options in wedding veils, and find just the right combination of features to suit her style and gown.
